CURBSIDE PARKING IS JUST NOT ALLOWED

I am responding to Pauline Tran's criticism of airport security (Letters, May 18).

While not condoning actions of irresponsible guards, one must realize frustrations of airport security. I have witnessed verbal abuse and threats these guards endure daily while enforcing their duties.

It's been several years since the Department of Transportation created "active" loading and unloading zones.

People waiting for rides must stand curbside before vehicles can pull up to park and assist them. Obviously, this wasn't the case for Tran and her sister, and security has every right to move any illegally parked vehicles along.

Many avoid having to park and pay (or are too lazy to walk) which results in these enforcements. At first, the DOT showed "aloha" by allowing free parking in the lots for 30 minutes (now only 15) so people could meet and pick up arriving passengers.

I recommend that Tran learn and follow rules and the "aloha" of the DOT before criticizing airport security.

LEAF BLOWERS

LEGISLATION WAS NEEDED, WELCOMED

I take issue with Jeremiah Hull's misguided assessment on leaf blower legislation (Letters, May 21). Thousands of people around the state are bothered each day by loud, obnoxious leaf blowers. Many others have asthma or other health conditions, and are virtual prisoners in their homes because of the pollution these machines cause.

Perhaps Hull should consider being more considerate and showing a little "aloha" for others if he, as I suspect, is one of those guilty of infringing on others' right to peace and quiet.

Mahalo to Sen. Mike Gabbard for pushing this bill through and I urge Gov. Lingle to sign it into law.

MAHALO

'LOST' WAS A GREAT ADVENTURE FOR FANS

I want to say a very heartfelt mahalo and aloha to the cast, producers, writers, all the crew — everyone involved in "Lost," for creating such a terrific television series.

As a regular viewer, I thought the finale was an excellent conclusion, and I thank you for taking fans along on a great adventure.

Thanks also to all of you for your personal and professional contributions to the community.

HB 444

PASSAGE OF BILL WAS OPEN, NOT SNEAKY

Russell Higa indicates that the passage of HB 444 makes him "feel troubled," and "suspicious of the democratic process" (Letters, May 23).

I wonder if he felt the same way when the House voted in January to indefinitely postpone the measure. As a recap, the House used an anonymous vote (which was improperly counted) to postpone voting on the civil unions bill.

To me, this was the greater offense because there was no accountability. Where was Higa then? I find it highly hypocritical for the people opposed to equality to pick and choose what they deem to be good or bad, as if they are the ultimate judge.

The vote on April 29 to pass HB 444 into law may have come late in the session, but everyone knew it was still on the table.

There was nothing sneaky about the vote; in fact, The Hawai'i Family Forum was warning members as early as April 9 that HB 444 was still alive.

If Higa is really against equality, he should just say so plainly.

I commend the legislators for righting what they did wrong and I hope and pray that Gov. Linda Lingle will sign HB 444 into law.

CIVIL UNIONS ARE NOT, CANNOT BE, MARRIAGE

Recently, it was reported that Gov. Lingle thought HB 444 on civil unions was nothing more than marriage only by another name.

Hopefully, her idea about what HB 444 is about does not come from her legal department, because that opinion omits one major fact: Civil unions are not and never will be marriage because it will not be recognized in any state without the same exact civil rights legislation.

More importantly, the federal government does not recognize civil unions. Without that recognition, civil unions are a mere distraction from equal personal relationship contracts, leaving couples and families without the protections, benefits and responsibilities afforded the heterosexual couples.

Gov. Lingle can sign HB 444 into law with a clear conscience, as it is not marriage by any stretch of the imagination.

OIL SPILL

GREED IS REAL REASON BEHIND THIS DISASTER

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good," proclaimed Gordon Gekko, the ruthless villain in Oliver Stone's 1987 hit "Wall Street."

Greed isn't good. Greed led to the collapses of Wall Street, the banking industry, the housing market, and now, the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

BP makes $40 billion annually. BP could have prevented the catastrophe by spending a mere $500,000 on an acoustic trigger device, which would have shut the well down. Norway and Brazil require the device in all offshore drilling. The United States does not.

Massive quantities of oil continue to spew into the Gulf of Mexico, adversely affecting five states. The damage to wildlife, business and tourism is stunning.

Many of us keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen because we know that accidents happen. Apparently big oil companies can reap large profits without having disaster backup plans. And all the while, oil is still gushing into the Gulf.

Watching BP, Transocean and Halliburton try to reassign blame is like watching an unfunny version of "Who's on First?" Yet Gordon Gekko would have been right at home.

'DESCENDANTS'

CLOONEY SHOWED TRUE ALOHA SPIRIT

Recently, the Hawaii Yacht Club hosted the wrap party for the upcoming George Clooney movie, "The Descendants."

As a club member, I want to say what a pleasure it was for the club to host the party, and to see the many local folks involved in the movie celebrating the successful production.

One local fellow setting up for the party told me, "I've worked in every department in the production; I wish I could keep working this job forever."

What a great opportunity for people to gain experience with consummate professionals dedicated to quality in every aspect of the job, and for Hawai'i to show our aloha spirit and the vast array of local people, places, and support that help make a movie the best it can be.

After the tab for the open bar was reached, Clooney put down his own credit card to keep the celebration going. He even got behind the bar to help. To Clooney and the whole production company, here's a toast to your aloha spirit. We hope you all come back!